Last Call

Tim McNally

Turning the calendar to a new year is cause for celebration and reconsideration. We celebrate every New Year because that’s what our species does. We seek milestones to note, and the odometer spins 2008 into ’09 so we go a bit crazy with our friends.

We also take a moment to reconsider, to reflect and to resolve to do better. We could do that just as easily on any of the other 364 days of the year, but the first day seems more appropriate. And we tell ourselves that we are going to improve, to make changes where changes need to be made.

Along those lines, why not move away from routine? Why not try a new beverage? Why remain in the same old rut as to what we drink? Let’s shake things up a bit – pun intended.

Pisco is a South American liquor made from grapes, and the Pisco Sour is claimed by both Peru and Chile as the national drink.

The drink is made to perfection at the iconic Carousel Lounge in the Monteleone Hotel, one of the French Quarter’s most revered watering holes. Mixologist Marvin Allen shares his excellent recipe.